LOVA Propellant Aging: Effect of Residual Solvent

An investigation of LOVA propellant aging was performed to identify the cause of stabilization periods in certain propellant lots. Two important observations were made: (1) the level of residual solvent in propellant grains slowly decrease while in storage, and (2) during the drying process and while the grains are in storage, plasticizer “co‐migrates” with solvent, resulting in plasticizer accumulation at grain surfaces. It was also observed that while in storage, residual solvent may be oxidized to generate organic acids. Based on these results, it is proposed that stabilization periods result from processes related to migration, evaporation, and oxidation of residual solvent.